Muntinlupa stays alive, sends Laguna to brink of elimination with crucial road win

Puroy Cantimbuhan came alive in Sta. Cruz to keep Muntinlupa's season alive. MPBL

By Ivan Saldajeno

STA. CRUZ, Laguna—Muntinlupa came alive in the second half to score a crucial 82-67 road win against Laguna in their MPBL Wednesday night battle at the Laguna Sports Complex.

In a showdown pitting teams still in the chase for the last playoff spot in the Southern Division, the Cagers pulled away late in the third quarter, outscoring the Heroes, 25-5, to end the period to essentially seal the outcome.

Laguna still tried to claw back into the game but could only come to as close as 13 with 3:10 left in the fourth frame.

Puroy Cantimbuhan led Muntinlupa, which moved up to 4-14, a game behind Imus for the eighth seed, with 22 points, one rebound, two assists, and three steals.

Dom Matillano added 13 points, five rebounds, and two assists off the bench.

Paolo Pontejos finished with 17 markers, five boards, three dimes, and one steal for Laguna, but he was held to just four markers in the second half after dropping 13 in the first as his team fell to 3-15 and is now in trouble of joining Mindoro as the South teams that will miss the playoffs.

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